MBA Newslinks Archive

“The bar was high as last February was a particularly strong month for applications, as was March 2016. The surprisingly strong employment numbers for the beginning of 2017 suggest that demand for new homes should continue to grow this year. Additionally, based on the current reading, we expect seasonally adjusted new home sales to be up by about 8 percent in February compared to a year ago.”–MBA Vice President of Research and Economics Lynn Fisher.

“The odds of a Fed rate increase at the meeting next week was already over 90 percent. This employment situation report only gives more reason for the Fed to move sooner rather than later.”–Mark Fleming, chief economist with First American Financial Corp., Santa Ana, Calif.

“Passage of the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act will encourage the growth of a competitive and sustainable private flood insurance market. Increased private sector involvement will expand available insurance options, lower costs to consumers and reduce the federal government’s exposure to flood loss over time.”–MBA Senior Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs Bill Killmer, in an MBA letter to House and Senate leaders urging support for flood insurance modernization legislation.

“For most investor groups, commercial and multifamily mortgage delinquencies are at or near their all-time lows. Only loans in commercial mortgage-backed securities continue to show elevated levels of delinquencies and loans in foreclosure, as the market continues to work through the large volume of mortgages made during the 2005-2007 time period.”–MBA Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Research Jamie Woodwell.

“We are in for many more years of elevated levels of negative equity. Even as median home values close in on peak levels reached during the housing boom, some people still face a long wait before returning to a positive balance on their home loans.”–Zillow Chief Economist Svenja Gudell.

“G-fees are a critical risk management tool used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to protect against losses from loans that default. Increasing g-fees for other purposes imposes an unjustified burden on homeowners who would pay for any increase through higher monthly payments for the life of their loan.”–From an MBA/trade group letter urging support of a House bill that would prohibit use of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guaranty fees to offset other budget spending.

“The growth and success of our virtual career fairs speaks to the interest that students have in a career in mortgage banking. MBA is proud to play a role in helping its members identify their ‘workforce of the future’ and we look forward to further growing this program.”–Peter Grace, MBA Senior Vice President of Strategy & Member Services. 

“His commitment to bolster America’s real estate markets and assist communities nationwide will serve him well in his new role. MBA looks forward to working with the Secretary and his team at HUD to ensure that families all across our country have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.”Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO David Stevens, CMB, on Senate confirmation of Ben Carson as HUD Secretary.

“The increase in refinance originations is surprising given the rising interest rates in the fourth quarter, but many homeowners may have been trying to lock in still relatively low interest rates before those interest rates rose further.”–Daren Blomquist, senior vice president with ATTOM Data Solutions, Irvine, Calif.

“The remodeling industry should see numerous growth opportunities over the next decade. Strong demand for rental housing has opened up that segment to a new wave of capital investment, and the shortage of affordable housing in much of the country makes the stock of older homes an attractive option for buyers willing to in invest in upgrades.”–Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.